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VICKSBURG, Miss. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' field force engineering team based here welcomed a new commander to its unit. Col. Richard W. Dean II assumed command of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) as it prepares for future military contingencies and disaster relief operations.

As the FEST-M commander, Dean will deliver USACE support to combat, stability and disaster operations through forward deployed and reachback capabilities. He will be in charge of a $3.5 million budget, and will lead a combined military and civilian work force in design, construction and project management.

"It's an honor to be a part of the FEST-M and be able to serve with these talented Soldiers and Civilians," Dean said. "I have every confidence that we will be ready and able to meet the demanding missions placed upon the team whether we face a declared national emergency or overseas contingency operation."

Dean arrives to Vicksburg from Washington, D.C., where he was the primary advisor to the Commanding General pertaining to all Army Reserve Engineer issues as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Components at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

His previous assignments include being assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff - Engineers for the 88th Regional Readiness Command in Fort Snelling, Minn. He was also deployed as an Engineer Officer for the USACE Emergency Response Team on four separate occasions in support of national flood and hurricane emergencies, and with the Baltimore District to Camp Monteith, Kosovo.

Dean received a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1987; a Master of Science in Forest Products from the University of Idaho in 1983; and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (Forest Engineering) from Purdue University in 1981.

Some of his military education includes the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Engineer Officer Advance Course, U.S. Army Combined Arms Service Staff School, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer Course.